ESB 5927

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee

ESB 5927

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Regarding nondisclosure of certain information of gambling commission licensees and tribes with approved gaming compacts.

Sponsors: Senator Delvin.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill

Exempts from disclosure independent auditors' reports and financial statements of house-banked card game licensees submitted to the Washington State Gambling Commission.

Hearing Date: 2/22/08

Staff: Tracey Taylor (786-7196).

Background:

Gambling Commission
Under the Washington Gambling Act of 1973, the Washington State Gambling Commission (Commission) has exclusive authority to license and regulate gambling activities. The Commission issues licenses for a one-year period. Certain licensees must prepare financial statements covering all financial activities of the establishment for each business year. The license application form and all supplemental information submitted at the Commission's request are considered public records.

The financial statements must be:

prepared by an independent, certified public accountant who is licensed by the State of Washington;
submitted on a comparative basis (except that the first year may be submitted for the current business year only); and
gross revenues from each licensed activity should be reported by activity and separated from all other revenues.

Public Records Act
The Public Records Act requires that all state and local government agencies make
public records available for disclosure unless they fall within certain statutory exemptions. The provisions requiring public records disclosure must be interpreted liberally and the exemptions narrowly in order to effectuate a general policy favoring disclosure.

Summary of Bill:

Independent auditors' reports and financial statements that the Commission requires house-banked card game licensees to submit are exempt from public disclosure.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.